BIO-UV Group has teamed up with MicroWISE to enhance ballast-water treatment solutions amid rising regulatory pressures. This partnership combines BIO-UV’s BIO-SEA technology with MicroWISE’s real-time organism analysis, addressing compliance challenges and improving operational efficiency at ports. Together, they aim to advance research and streamline treatment processes for non-compliant ballast water.
Coroner Monica Chow Wai-cho indicated that the choice to exclude a watertight door from the Lamma IV was deliberate, labeling the resulting deaths as “unlawful.” This decision, linked to a significant inquiry, has left families of the victims pushing for further justice, citing ignored design flaws in the ferry’s construction.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has launched a nationwide compliance initiative to enhance safety standards in ports and marine facilities. This initiative, coupled with new senior board appointments, aims to improve leadership and operational efficiency. Additionally, the MCA has prioritized research to address emerging challenges in the maritime sector.
On December 16, 2025, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) conducted a technical audit in North Korea, assessing compliance with maritime obligations since 1986. This visit, a rare exception amidst strict entry restrictions, aimed to ensure North Korea’s adherence to international maritime safety and environmental standards post-COVID-19.
A sanctioned vessel carrying Russian oil for Indian Oil Corp has encountered delays at an eastern Indian port due to the online verification of insurance from a Russian insurer. The Aframax vessel Tiger 6 was set to unload its cargo but remains unberthed, reflecting increased security measures following India’s tightened regulations.
V.Ships has integrated OceanScore’s Compliance Manager to navigate EU environmental regulations, enhancing compliance with the EU Emissions Trading System and FuelEU Maritime. This partnership streamlines processes and automates invoicing, ensuring operational excellence. James Helliwell noted the added complexity of these regulations, but expressed confidence in OceanScore’s support for overcoming challenges.
The maritime training ecosystem faces challenges as compliance-driven learning hampers seafarer competence. Traditional methods are inadequate amid operational pressures. Experts advocate for innovative approaches like gamification and microlearning, emphasizing flexibility and personalized training. A cultural shift prioritizing curiosity and collaboration is essential for fostering effective learning environments in the industry.
Lloyd’s Register has launched a new risk-based notation, Fire (C, Risk), to enhance fire safety assessments for container vessels. This notation, part of the July 2025 update, allows stakeholders to evaluate fire risks and implement tailored safety enhancements, promoting innovation and supporting data-driven verification in ship design.
Azolla has launched an EUA Requisition Platform to streamline compliance with the EU Emissions Trading System. This platform provides live EUA pricing, enabling direct transactions for shipowners and charterers. By simplifying onboarding and reducing KYC processes, it offers a rapid procurement pathway and democratizes access to the EUA market.
Ahti Climate has secured additional funding from Business Finland to enhance its Ahti Pool platform, following an initial grant in September 2024. This funding aims to strengthen Ahti’s growth strategy and product differentiation in the maritime emissions compliance sector, facilitating compliance with the upcoming FuelEU Maritime regulations effective January 1, 2025.
The Panamanian Ship Registry has updated its policies to enhance fleet performance and reduce detention risks, particularly targeting older vessels. Effective immediately, registration of oil tankers and bulk carriers over 15 years old is prohibited. This move follows findings that 71% of detentions involved older ships, emphasizing safety and compliance.
CLASSNK has released the fourth edition of its “FAQs on the FuelEU Maritime,” providing crucial updates for the shipping industry ahead of the regulation’s January 1, 2025, implementation. Key highlights include clarified cumulative penalty conditions and a prioritized order for fuels in GHG intensity calculations, supporting compliance efforts for ships over 5,000 gross tonnage.
Smart Ship © Hub has teamed up with Al Group, including Asian Lloyd and Atlantic Lloyd, to lead emissions reporting in maritime. This initiative utilizes the Smart Ship platform for automated emission reporting across Al Group’s fleet, enhancing efficiency, compliance, and data accuracy with real-time sensor analysis and integration through ABS.
The Directorate General of Shipping has condemned MSC Ship Management for negligence in the MV ELSA 3 rescue efforts near Kochi. Highlighting environmental risks, it warned that legal action will follow if oil extraction doesn’t start within 48 hours, jeopardizing local fishing communities’ livelihoods amid ongoing pollution challenges.
Survitec is urging shipowners and managers to prepare for new IMO fire protection regulations effective January 1, 2026. These require fixed water monitors on weather decks of Roro and Ropax vessels to address rising fire incidents, particularly with electric vehicles. These monitors offer efficient, targeted protection, enhancing crew safety during firefighting.
